It is easy for Christians to herald the ever-so-popular phrase, “It’s not religion; it’s relationship.” And, to be honest, I understand the nature of this motto and affirm that you cannot simply have pharisaical tendencies, be a legalist, and still go to heaven. Why? Because Jesus makes it very clear that our righteousness must exceedContinue reading “Actually, Christianity IS Religion.”
Category Archives: Life
On This Day: Spurgeon Dies.
What can we learn from the death of the prince of preachers? Charles Spurgeon, one of the greatest preachers since Christ or the Apostle Paul, is unlike any other Christian figure in history. But what made him this way? What employed his unending courage to stand up for truth? Are you ready for the answer?Continue reading “On This Day: Spurgeon Dies.”
3 Necessities of Christmas
As Christmas seasons come and go, no season goes by without a bit of personal reflection. The food, fun, family, friends, and, of course, the presents are all wonderful additions to the season, however, sometimes even Christians forget the real reason for celebration. Now, I want to be clear. The statement above is not meantContinue reading “3 Necessities of Christmas”
Disciplines for Expository Preparation – Part 3
Theological Instruction in the Preparation of Sermons Preaching is a message from God; therefore, it is theology. Since theology is always present in preaching, it is “God talk.”[1] Peter exhorts his readers always to be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in them (1 Peter 3:15), and this requires a foundationContinue reading “Disciplines for Expository Preparation – Part 3”
The Prayer Life of the Pastor
While prayer can come in the form of one’s devotional life, it is not limited to as much. Prayer is also a lifelong action for those who are children of God – it is the way of communication between the Creator and his creation. In fact, prayer is not simply a necessity or a command,Continue reading “The Prayer Life of the Pastor”
The Leisure Time of the Pastor
The pastor must aim to do his best work while he is serving the Lord in his respective ministry. However, if the pastor is working so much that he has no leisure time, he will end up experiencing ministerial burnout. Thus, the pastor must have a time every single week to rest and rejuvenate. ThisContinue reading “The Leisure Time of the Pastor”
The Study Habits of the Pastor
The way a pastor studies indicates the health of his spiritual life. Therefore, it is vital for the pastor to pay close attention to these three areas of study: his personal study, his sermonic study, and his intellectual study. The Personal Study of the Pastor Pastors are constantly interacting with the Bible through sermon preparation,Continue reading “The Study Habits of the Pastor”
What are the Spiritual Disciplines?
The spiritual disciplines, as defined by Donald Whitney, are “practices found in Scripture that promote spiritual growth among believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ.”[1] The spiritual disciplines are found in Scripture. And an important facet to note about them is that they are practices. There may be some who believe the spiritual disciplines areContinue reading “What are the Spiritual Disciplines?”
The Pastor and Applying the Spiritual Disciplines
Donald Whitney gives his readers pertinent advice that can be applied to pastors. He encourages, “Don’t settle only for spiritual food that’s been ‘predigested’ by others.”[1] In other words, do your own study of the Bible before you resort to others’ work. Too often, pastors are diligent to study books before they study the Bible.Continue reading “The Pastor and Applying the Spiritual Disciplines”
The Devotional Life of the Pastor
Every preacher’s spiritual formation begins with a personal pursuit of the Lord. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones recommends that a pastor safeguard his mornings. Instead of taking care of the everyday affairs of the church, he should use his mornings to prepare for the work of the pulpit.[1] However, the Doctor does not force such an attitudeContinue reading “The Devotional Life of the Pastor”
